Emergency-like situation in Kerala, Bengal?

Bengaluru: Today, Emergency-like situation exists in Kerala and West Bengal and hence we need to remind ourselves of Emergency very often. Whenever absolute power goes into someone’s head, Emergency could repeat. Leaders should also be wary of their coterie and those who might mislead them,” said Justice (retd) Shri N Kumar while releasing a book on Emergency on December 12. The ‘Che! Indira Sarvadhikara (Dictatorship)’ has been written by a senior Sangh Pracharak Shri Ka Shri Nagaraj. RSS Dakshin Madhya Kshetra Sanghachalak Shri V Nagaraj was also present. Shri Ka Shri Nagaraj is a legendary author who has authored 65 books.

 

Justice N Kumar sitting (left) at the function in Bengaluru. Shri V Nagraj is also seen 

 

Justice Kumar further said had the RSS not not fought against it during Emergency the nation would have lost. But it is also true that common man and woman were part of the uprising against Emergency. Judiciary also played a major role and ruled several times in favour of democracy. “Country needs a strong judiciary and is a wonderful institution providing proper individuals take up proper posts. India is a great nation and such hindrances in its civilisational journey are part of it. Our nation is strong enough to overcome such hindrances due to its people,” he added.

 

Shri V Nagaraj spoke on the importance of Emergency in current scenario as well as for the future generations. He said the treatment meted out to Indians by Britishers were repeated during the Emergency by Indira Gandhi regime. “The control on free speech was absolute. Newspapers and so-called intellectuals had their tails between their legs and remained silent. When the pillars of democracy were mute spectators, the judiciary was one pillar which stood against the tyranny and passed judgements without fear or favour,” he said. Shri KR Malkani had written in the ‘Motherland’ that Indira Gandhi required mental treatment. Fakruddin Ali Ahmad was made President only because he was a Muslim and had no other qualification to deserve the post. He simply provided his approval to the imposition of Emergency as Indira Gandhi directed.

 

After Emergency was imposed, Shri KR Malkani was the first to be arrested under MISA. Many RSS and Jan Sangh leaders were also arrested. The RSS was also banned and Shakhas were stopped. Satyagraha was organised across the country to defy the government. However, the communists became associates of the Indira Gandhi in Emergency and they supported her move. Since RSS was at the forefront in fighting Emergency, its leaders were the prime targets. The swayamsevaks who were arrested were tortured in an inhuman way using third degree torture. Despite that the government couldn’t stop publication of underground literature.

 

Along with Satyagraha, protests were also held at several places. Thousands were arrested and their houses were raided. Vikrama and Rashtrotthana were sealed. Women, especially from Rashtra Sevika Samiti also took part in the agitation against Emergency. Owing to anti-Emergency movement, Indira Gandhi decided to go for elections. She lost the elections and a government led by Janata Party came to power. The wonder of the movement was that every family member was part of the movement and hence it was a unique movement in every sense, he added.

 

The book was also released by Shri DH Shankar Murthy (DHS), former Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council. He recounted the atrocities by administration and the struggle to restore democracy. Stories, including one of Dr K Prabhakar Bhat and his wife, who were unaware that they both were poisoned in the same jail, touched and moved the audience. “I was caught just because I shouted the slogan of Bharat Mata ki Jai. I was the first one in Bengaluru to be jailed under MISA. There are thousands of untold stories of brutalities and the pain people had to go through. There should be hundreds of books to capture untold stories of Emergency,” he added.

— Prasanth Vaidyaraj